• March 10.2008

UK: Free paper to replace iconic paid-for?

Posted by John Burke on August 30, 2006 at 2:41 PM
The summer waiting period is over. The London freesheet war has begun as Associated Newspapers launches its afternoon cover price-less paper, London Lite, days ahead of News International's planned thelondonpaper. On the same day, Associated has spiked the price of its long-running Evening Standard by 25%, bringing it up to 50%. What does this mean for the future of a bastion of London evenings?

The Guardian reports that the price rise is an "attempt to offset declining income resulting from falling readership." But there is the distant possibility that it is preparation for the folding of the paper. Two reasons why:

  1. The Standard's circulation fell 20% year-on-year in July bringing it down to 300,000 copies. The two new freesheets plan to distribute 400,000 copies a day. This inundation of free copies could easily kill the Standard much more quickly than the slow, painful death it is experiencing as of late. The price hike is probably a move by Associated to suck as much money out of the ol' codger as possible before it goes the way of the dodo.
  2. News International accused Associated of self-plagiarism, claiming it is using Evening Standard content in London Lite. If this is true, Associated may be planning to gradually meld the paper's together, using Evening Standard journalists for the new freesheet, mixing copy and staff while eventually fading out the paid for.
On a lighter note, Associated reported that it expects London Lite to break even within four years, one to two years sooner than it had originally gauged. But in what appears to be the makings of a ruthless market, will London Lite even be around in four years? Is there room for two papers distributing a combined 800,000 copies when only 300,000 are sold today?

Sources: Media Guardian, PressGazette, Guardian Organ Grinder blog (Associated cannibalizing ES)

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2 Comments

Anthere said:

I have a rather "innocent" question to ask bloggers.

I wish to ask it in particular to those who were traditional journalists before, and quit to become bloggers.

Do you succeed to make a living out of blogging ?
If so, how exactly do you make a living ? Is it sustainable ?
If not, how do you perceive citizen journalism could become sustainable ?

I would also be pleased that you expand these thoughts to international blogging, rather than to limit it to english-speaking blogging world.

Anthere

May 30, 2005 11:39 AM
Azarang said:

I read it .It's so interesting.

June 22, 2005 9:55 AM

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